Mark Olson was the founder of The Jayhawks, the most important band to emerge out of the '90s altcountry scene. Together with Victoria Williams and Mike "Razz" Russell, Mark formed The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers ... more &raquoand his reconnection to the simple joys of making music shines through every song on this album. Homespun, honest and pure, Mark lovingly dubbed these his "desert field recordings".&laquo less

Synopsis

Album Description

Mark Olson was the founder of The Jayhawks, the most important band to emerge out of the '90s altcountry scene. Together with Victoria Williams and Mike "Razz" Russell, Mark formed The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers and his reconnection to the simple joys of making music shines through every song on this album. Homespun, honest and pure, Mark lovingly dubbed these his "desert field recordings".

CD Reviews

Don't listen to the 1 star review!!!

Craig Neely | Clarkston, GA United States | 06/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love alt.country. I love the Byrds, Gram Parsons, UT, Wilco, Jayhawks, Gillian Welch etc. As a result, I sought out some Mark Olson stuff, since he had been, in my opinion, the better half of the Jayhawks. In my search I ran across this album. The descriptions noted that Pacific Coast Rambler was a jangly affair, recorded in a home studio, and was mostly acoustic. I just had a feeling about it, so I picked it up. All I can say is that the disk is amazing. From the cover art, to the pictures, to the last song the album has a very warm feel with sparse production, textured arrangements, beautiful vocals, strumming acoustics, and good lyrics. The biggest surprise was that Mark really has a Gram Parson's thing going on when he sings with his wife, Victoria Williams, who is all over this album.
Friends, if you dig the acoustic, slightly twangy side of alt.country, pick this cd up and disregard the 1 star review below. This CD is a hidden masterpiece from the Joshua Tree forest, where the Dippers live and record. Highly recommended for Gillian Welch fans.
Peace"

Slow Growing

Norman Carter | georgia | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would not listen to the 1 star review. If you don't like choppy music you don't like Mark Olson. His music is not catchy and does not immediately grab you. But if you give it time it has this effect that is unexplainable. I am not sure he is the better half of the Jayhawks, but I do know the Jayhawks were a more interesting band with Mark. This is an excellent record, but do not believe your going to be singing along after 1 spin. With early alternative country (Gram Parsons, The Byrds, etc) that was possible. This indulges patience and rewards those who are willing to dig beneath the catchiness of music."